Lincoln women fall just short in opener

LOWER OXFORD—The Lincoln University women’s basketball team played itshome opener Thursday evening at Manuel Rivero Hall, hosting the LadyDevils of Philadelphia University of the Sciences.

Despite placing four players in double figures and holding leads atvarious points of the game, the Lions suffered a costly turnover downfour late in the game,rendering the comeback bid extremely difficult in a 75-73 setback.

Over the course of a competitive first half featuring four leadchanges and four ties, the Lions shot50percent from the field,paced by 15points on 7-of-11 shooting from Denyse Moore. Headedinto the break, the Lions trailed by just two.

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Lincoln picked it up in the second half, taking the lead at 36-35when Cynthia Johnson was good on the first of two free throws.Lincoln held the lead, bumping it to as much as 50-44 following a layupfrom Meana Gaines.

Lincoln stayed out front until just over 12minutes remained, and the Devils’ Briana Traub hit a jumper to tie it at 50 apiece. Anotherjumper by Traub second later put her team on top.The lead would change hands on three more occasions beforeanother bucket from Traubgave Sciences a lead it would not relinquish.

Moore led all scores on the evening, knocking down 22points on 10-of-21 shooting, including one from beyond the three-point arc.Elsebeth Birman was right on Moore’s heels, pacing the Devils with21points on 9-of-14 shooting.

“It’s a team effort, and we didn’t win,” said Moore. “So either waywhat my points were don’t really matter. But we play againSaturday,so hopefully we stepit up and get a win.”

The Lions had four players reach double digits on the night. BesidesMoore, Tahlar McIntosh chipped in with 15, and notched a double-doubleby pulling down 11 boards. Cynthia Johnson contributed 12 points, while Courtney Smith added 10, including a pair ofthree-pointers.

“I’m just an aggressive player,” said McIntosh. “But I agree withDenyse. You can only be happy with individual stats if you win thegame.”

The Sciences also had four double-digit scores with Traub (19),Carolyn Edwards (16 points and 12 rebounds) and Jessica Sylvester joiningBirman.

Making a homecoming of sorts was the Devils’ Becca Ruggear, an Oxfordgraduate playing in her home town for the first time since graduatingfour years ago.

“It was cool getting to play back in Oxford,” said Ruggear. “Evenbetter that we were able to get our first win of the season..It waslong overdue.”